Yes, it's exhausting but I'd like to think that the recipients of my gifts would agree, it's worth it. Until now, there hasn't been an easy way to shop from a variety of local brands while also being able to completely customize your gift with a personal touch. Say hello to Knack, an incredible new way to satisfy your inner DIY-er while taking advantage of the convenience of online shopping. On the site shoppers can create gifts by choosing from over a thousand high quality products (called knicks) sourced from all over the Pacific Northwest. The site then helps you make a "knack" using whatever vessel suits your fancy including glass jars, paint tins, premium gift boxes or even upcycled bottles.

The site is incredibly user-friendly and features a variety of local brands I love including Olivine Atelier, Herbivore, Tokyo Milk, Fran's Chocolates, Dachshund Design House, Potluck Press and more. Making a Knack is fun and users also have the option to collaborate with others, instantly making group gifting a lot easier and so much more engaging. There's even an option to split payment among multiple people!

The team recently invited me over to their Capitol Hill office space to create a Knack for my best friend Jessica. Naturally, my custom BFF box includes an array of beauty products mixed with inspiration, celebratory confetti and topped off with a small glitter crown.

Each item is then carefully hand packed into a box (or other vessel) by the Knack team and topped off with a Knack Book that includes a personalized message from the gift giver along with product descriptions for each item so that recipients can get to know the backstory of the brands included in the gift and discover incredible products made right here in the Pacific Northwest.

My BFF box aka the "Soul Sister" is available for sale on the Knack store. You can purchase it as is for the gal pals in your life, or customize it based on your budget and needs. Knacks start at $25 and can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Your holiday shopping just got so much easier (like you needed one more thing to stress out about). You can thank me later.

Knack is a great way to shop local while also having the ability to customize the perfect gift. Tag us in your Knack pics so that we can see what you've created! And don't forget to follow @KnackShops on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

The 32nd Annual Goodwill Glitter Sale will take place November 14th and 15th at the Dearborn store located at 1400 South Lane street. Get ready to shop because we're talking Missoni tops, Prada skirts, Tiffany bracelets, vintage dresses and more. Admission is free and as per usual, the best items go first! Proceeds from the sale benefit Goodwill's free job training and education programs in the community. Racks will be restocked all weekend long and if you can't wait, feel free to preview available items on the Goodwill blog.

Don't forget, there's still time to buy your tickets to the Goodwill Glitter Gala taking place on Nov. 6th in Seattle. I will be there and can't wait to meet you! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. Check out the video from last year's show:

The countdown is on! Uniqlo is opening its first store in the Pacific Northwest on Friday, November 6th in Bellevue. The 16,000 square foot store will house merchandise for men, women and kids. "We see the entrance into the Pacific Northwest region as a necessary and exciting growth driver as we continue to expand across the US," says Uniqlo CEO Larry Meyer. Uniqlo opened its first store in Japan back in 1984 and now has more than 1,600 stores worldwide. Follow the new store opening action on social media using the hashtag #UniqloSeattle.

Head over to Uniqlo.com to take a peek at a curated assortment of merchandise for Seattleites and meet the taste makers the company partnered with for the launch of the new store including Shauna Casey, Bethany Marie, Hollis and more!

The four-day fall fashion series at Pacific Place is coming to a close. Join Seattle magazine for a LIVE fashion installation and cocktail mixer tonight from 6-8pm in the atrium. Featured retailers include 8telier, Lululemon, Farinaz, Francesca's, Eddie Bauer, Chico's and more. Follow the action on social media using the hashtag #StyleuPP.

Meet Sydney

Sydney Mintle is a fashion blogger based in Seattle. She began writing about the local shopping scene back in 2008 and has been sharing her love of indie designers and boutiques with readers all over the world ever since.